Reading legend Steve Sidwell offered guidance to summer signing Charlie Savage before making the move, he has revealed on a podcast.
Sidwell played almost 200 times for the Royals between 2003 and 2007, becoming a key member of the club's first Premier League team, before moving to Chelsea.
Similar to Savage, 21-year-old Sidwell joined Reading as an inexperienced midfielder- moving from Arsenal- before going on to become one of the most sought-after players outside of the top-flight.
Now a regular pundit on TNT Sport with Robbie Savage, the former Wales international and father of Charlie, it was revealed that the 20-year-old had asked the midfield favourite about the move before joining from Manchester United over the summer.
"Charlie Savage- playing at Reading and doing really well," he told Peter Crouch on his award-winning podcast. "I worked with Sav [Robbie Savage] on what was BT- now TNT- and when he signed for Reading he called me up and was asking about the club and where he should possibly stay. A really good club- resemblance to myself, from Arsenal to Reading to go back up. Manchester United, to go there and showcase his stuff. He’s got the reward now to go and represent his country."
Charlie made his Wales debut on Wednesday and picked up an assist during a 4-0 win over Gibraltar.
Rather than returning to Under-21 duty, manager Rob Page has kept the midfielder in the senior team set-up for the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier with Croatia on Sunday.
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